Desmond Smith pulled in 14 passes for 182 yards and Jatavious Wilson grabbed four for 78 yards and one score.

Central Arkansas (6-3, 6-1 Southland Conference) has won six of its last seven games and remains just one game behind conference-leading McNeese State. The Bears lost to McNeese State 28-13 on Oct. 17.

The Bears were leading 17-13 at the break, but Stephen F. Austin scored 11 points and took a 24-17 lead in the third. Hilderbrand answered when he hit Wilson on a 38-yard scoring strike and Kelton Warren scored from the 37-yard line for a 29-24 advantage.

Zach Conque threw for 279 yards for the Lumberjacks (3-6, 3-4) who had won three straight after opening the season 0-5.